1939 President Roosevelt declares US neutrality and upholds ban on export of weapons. The US establishes Neutrality Patrol to monitor military operations in western hemisphere and declares Neutrality Zone 300 miles off east coast. French forces begin a limited offensive towards Saarbrucken. Under the relentless pressure by the Wehrmacht, the Polish Army withdraws behind the …
Words At War “They Left the Back Door Open“ Released April 17, 1945. Words At War, the series that brings you radio versions of the leading war book another adaptation of an important war book, “They Left the Back Door Open”. The story of Bill Donaldson a hero who deserted from the British Army to …
NBC Words At War Episode 93 “They Left the Back Door Open“ Read More »
1939 The RAF attacks German shipping at Wilhelmshaven, Cuxhaven and Schillig Roads, with negligible results (7 out of 30 Wellington bombers are shot down by German fighters and Anti-Aircraft). The German 3rd Army and 4th Army join in the Corridor and re-establish the land connection between East Prussia and the Reich that was severed in …
1939The official beginning of World War 2: After Germany rejects the Anglo-French ultimatum of September 1st, which called for the withdrawal of all German forces from Poland, Britain and France declare war on Germany at 11am. The Kriegsmarine begins its campaign against British merchant shipping with 17 U-boats putting to sea out of a total …
1939 National Service Act passed in Britain. Hitler indicates to the Britain and France that he would withdraw from Poland provided that he was allowed to retain Danzig and the Polish Corridor. This was dismissed and a joint ultimatum was given to Germany to withdraw her troops from Poland within twelve hours or find herself …
1939 World War II Begins Three German Army Groups begin the invasion of Poland at 4:45am. Massive strikes by the Luftwaffe destroy vital communications and assembly areas, decimating the Polish air force on the ground. Panzer and motorised divisions make deep penetrations into the Polish defences, using tactics soon to be known as the Blitzkrieg. Officially, the first …
World War II Today: September 1 – Germany Invades Poland Read More »
1938 Under German threats of war, Britain, France, Germany and Italy sign an accord permitting Germany to take control of Sudetenland–a region of Czechoslovakia inhabited by a German-speaking minority. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain boasts, “I believe it is peace in our time.” 1939 Graf Spee sinks the British steamship Clement off Pernambuco, Brazil. Polish government-in-exile …
1938 Hitler and Mussolini sign a treaty creating the Rome-Berlin Axis. Mussolini agrees to let Hitler do what he pleases in Europe, while Hitler agrees to assist Italy if war breaks out. 1939 Poland formally surrenders, relieving the 35,000 besieged Polish troops who are defending the fortress of Modlin of their obligations thereby enabling them …
1937 In a speech given during a visit to Berlin, Mussolini assures the world;”There are no secret intentions in my visit. Nothing is being plotted”. 1939 The last Polish resistance, the fortress of Modlin, falls after 18-day siege. German and Soviet troops meet at Brest-Litovsk and together stage a military review. An agreement is signed …
1939 The German pocket Battleships, Graf Spee and Deutschland, which had sailed from Germany in August, are given orders to attack allied shipping in the Atlantic. Sir John Simon’s first war budget, income tax up to 7s 6d in the £. Polish government-in-exile set up in Paris. Warsaw, besieged for more than two weeks, surrenders …
